The Scottish Bride (The Brides of Holland Springs Book 5)(5)

“Plus, Waverly helped me pick out the dress. She never does that, so I knew something was up.” Cadence spun around and headed straight for him. “Wow. You look amazing.”

“So do you,” Maddox said, pulling her into his arms. He kissed the top of her head, and his best friend nodded and left. He couldn’t have asked for better support from Jude and Waverly, his twin.

“Do you recognize where you are, my love?” he asked.

Slowly, Cadence looked around, her eyes widening with recognition. “Oh my goodness! We’re at Serenity.”

“Aye.” He took her by the hand and led her to the table that was set for them. On her plate was a black box. He wasn’t one to hide it. “This is our table.”

“I love it.” But she wasn’t’ looking at the damned table; she was looking at him. “By the way, now that my brother is gone, I can say what I really think of you in this tux.” She fingered his tie. “I think you look so hot that I need to undress you and lick you all over to help cool you off.”

His dick sprang to life at that. “Do you now?”

“Absolutely.” She smiled flirtatiously. “Don’t you want to do the same thing to me?”

She wasn’t going to do this to him. He closed his eyes and willed his erection to go down... without success because her soft hands were on him. “No.”

“What?”

His eyes popped open. “I mean I do, but not now. Now I have something very romantic for you.”

“I think orgasms can be super romantic,” she said earnestly. “The one you gave me two days ago... mind blowing.”

“You’re not helping.” And he couldn’t stop his mind from going to that exact moment. His fingers had been slick with her, one pumping inside as he kissed her until she was a writhing mess beside him. He’d had to keep kissing her so she wouldn’t scream his name and wake the entire household.

Should he have left her alone at his parents’ house? Absolutely.

Could he leave her alone? Absolutely not.

After he proposed and she said yes, he would never leave her alone again... especially in bed.

“I know what you’re thinking, Maddox-mine.” She nipped at his bottom lip. “But because I know you went to a lot of trouble to be so romantic, I’ll be a good girl and do whatever you want me to.”

“Still not helping.”

She fisted her hands on her hips. “Then tell me what would help.”

“Fair enough.” He guided her to the table and pulled out her chair. “Sit please.”

She did as he asked, her gaze going to the azure sea for a long second or two before returning to his face. “Now what?”

He got down on one knee and grabbed the box from her plate. Her rosy lips made a perfect O.

“Cadence Romanov, I am yours, body, soul, and heart. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

Tears shone in her eyes, and her lips trembled even as she said, “Yes. I adore you. I love you. You have my heart, body, and soul, too.”

Hands trembling, he opened the box and slipped the diamond on her finger. “You’re very nearly mine, my love.”

“Please say we don’t have to wait six months to get married.”

“We can marry whenever you like. I’ve already gotten the proper documents prepared.”

“Tomorrow.”

“How about the day after so I can find a place for us to spend the honeymoon?” He already had a particular island in mind, one that had been given to him by his godfather Sebastian when he was born. As stingy as they were in their acceptance of strangers or men who had designs upon their daughters, they were among the most generous men who lived when they considered someone family.

“Yes. Yes. Yes!” She threw her arms around him, falling from the chair and straight on to him as she covered his face with kisses.

This was why he’d booked the entire place. This wild, beautiful woman in his arms knew no shame when they were together.

And he wouldn’t change a bloody thing about her.





Chapter Three


Cadence was so excited that she could hardly stand it. Finally, Maddox would be her husband and she could have her wicked way with him.

“Sit still,” Waverly ordered. “I can’t possibly fix your hair if you keep fidgeting like a June bug caught on a string.”

Cadence gripped the edges of the bench seat to keep herself from squirming. “Sorry.” She grew quiet instead of asking a million questions... until she couldn’t take it anymore. “What do you think our parents are going to say?”

“Nothing until you tell them, but I bet Uncle Bastian knows. He knows everything about everyone.” Waverly curled another thick lock of hair. “But he also knows how to keep quiet. I think he enjoys knowing things... and keeping them from his twin brother.”

“Are you speaking from experience?” Cadence asked. There were times when she envied her older brother and sister’s relationship as fraternal twins. They were so close, and almost always together when given the choice, that she often felt left out. She was sure they didn’t do it on purpose, but still...

“A little, but there isn’t much that Jude doesn’t know. It’s a pain in my tail, honestly. I’m waiting for both of us to get a life, fall in love, and be forced to spend time with people who don’t have the last name Romanov or Stewart.” She grinned and curled another swatch of hair. “All done.”